Impact of COMT Val158Met on executive functioning in the context of HIV and methamphetamine.

ABSTRACT: The catechol-O-methyltransferease (COMT) Val allele has been linked to executive dysfunction among healthy individuals. The nature of this relationship is unknown in the context of HIV infection and/or methamphetamine (METH) dependence, two conditions that can alter dopaminergic system functioning. We sought to determine if the putative relationship between COMT and executive dysfunction could be observed among individuals with and without HIV-infection and/or METH dependence, and to explore the specificity of this relationship by examining other cognitive domains. Utilizing an existing cohort of 229 men with and without HIV infection and/or METH dependence we found that Met/Met carriers within the HIV-only and control groups, displayed better executive functioning compared t

SUBMITTER: Bousman CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3782745 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature